Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Care for each other
King’s message to nation amid royal health scares
THE King has urged the nation to serve and care for each other, as he and the Princess of Wales battle cancer.
Charles’s pre-recorded speech – his first public words since Kate revealed she was having chemotherapy – will be broadcast in his absence at a Royal Maundy service in Worcester Cathedral today.
His Majesty will talk about how Jesus Christ set an “example of how we should serve and care for each other” and how as a nation “we need and benefit greatly from those who extend the hand of friendship to us, especially in a time of need”.
While the King, 75, does not directly refer to his and his daughter-in-law’s health, his words will be interpreted as reflecting on the nation’s response to the challenges he and Kate face.
We need and benefit greatly from those who extend the hand of friendship to us, especially in a time of need
SERVICE
Charles told last month how he was reduced to tears by messages of support from wellwishers. The King was pictured at his desk in Buckingham Palace’s 18th Century Room as he recorded his message in mid-march.
He has stepped back from large-scale public duties while receiving outpatient treatment and the Queen is deputising for him at the ancient Royal Maundy ceremony. Camilla, 76, will present specially minted coins to people recognised for their community service.
The ceremony commemorates Jesus’s Last Supper, at which he washed the feet of his disciples as an act of humility. And in addition to reaffirming his Coronation pledge “not to be served but to serve”, the King’s message will describe the Maundy money recipients as
“wonderful examples of such kindness” in “giving so much of their lives to the service of others in their communities”.
It comes as he prepares to attend church on Easter Sunday with Camilla, in his most significant public appearance since his diagnosis.
The Queen toured Shrewsbury Farmers’ Market yesterday, where two children gave her handmade get-well-soon cards for Kate, 42, who on Friday issued a video health update.
Camilla told Lois, six, and Harriet, 10: “I know Catherine is thrilled by all the kind wishes.” Harriet apologised for the cards being
“a bit creased” in the windy conditions and Camilla said: “I’ll take them carefully and will make sure she knows they’re coming.”
Browsing the Shropshire market, Camilla was given gifts of tea, a portrait of her and the King, local red wine and award-winning chocolate made by Julia Wenlock of Toot Sweets.
Joanne Morris, 65, told the Queen she was thinking of her family at this difficult time. Ms Morris said: “She’s got a lot on and it’s a big
thing – you think it’s an easy job but it must be very, very tiring.”
And musician Bill Stanley, 77, formerly of the Roger James Four, showed her a photo of himself with Lord Louis Mountbatten, the King’s great uncle, in 1958. He said: “She was delighted with the story. Lord Mountbatten and King Charles were the greatest of friends.” russell.myers@mirror.co.uk